WO2018206070A1

WO2018206070A1 - Flexible fixture for a tarp

Info

Publication number: WO2018206070A1
Application number: PCT/DK2018/050101
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kim Michael Jensen
Original assignee: Lethan Invest Aps
Priority date: 2017-05-11
Filing date: 2018-05-09
Publication date: 2018-11-15
Also published as: EP3622134A1; EP3622134A4

Abstract

A hold down device used to hold down a covering unit placed over a structure. The device comprises at least a set of elements that can hold the unit between the elements of which at least one of the elements has a fixing device e.g. holes for fastening with screws/bolts to attach the elements to a structure to be covered.

Description

Introduction

Many tradesmen spend a lot of time covering roofs and the like when it looks like it is going to rain, or to cover them for the night. Some tradesmen wait before removing the cover if it looks like it is going to rain from the start of the morning. Some tradesmen cover up relatively early so that they can manage to cover up without working overtime. This may mean that the work day often is shorter than it might be.

With the "Flex-cover magnetic panel" tradesmen can wait till shortly before four o'clock to start the covering up, or the tradesmen can remove the "Flex-cover magnetic panel" if they are in doubt as to whether it will rain, because the covering can be done very quickly and easily.

If one can get more out of the work day, the construction companies could also complete their projects much more quickly.

When tradesmen cover up in the conventional manner, this is done by laying out a tarpaulin and mounting a lath, through which a screw is fastened. In this way, holes are made in the covering and when it has been used a certain number of times the covering is no longer usable, because it is riddled with holes, and therefore the construction companies incur an additional expense.

The "global society/environment" also incurs an expense, since tarpaulins are a petroleum product which needs to be disposed of and furthermore the construction companies will obtain new tarpaulins, for which petroleum will also be used in their production.

Today there is no system which can be mounted quickly and easily in order to avoid water damage, which may often have far-reaching consequences to the economy and construction and so forth. Description of the invention;

The invention thus relates to a set of (or several) elements which can secure a covering unit, such as a tarpaulin, between the elements, wherein at least one of the elements has a fastening device, such as holes for fastening with screws/bolts. In this way, the elements are fastened to the structure which is supposed to be covered.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of fastening a covering on a structure by use of the aforesaid elements.

A set of two or more plates (1 and 7), with mechanical or electrical assembly device/loosening device, which is screwed or clamped tightly to rafters, walls, or the like. The system can ensure that, for example a tarpaulin is easy to mount, while also saving time, and furthermore the tarpaulins are not destroyed by drilling holes in them, as with other similar fastening units.

The system can also be used for covering of pallets, swimming pools and the like. In construction, the system may likewise be used, for example when houses are not fully enclosed, i.e., one can also cover up window openings.

The bottom plate (1) is screwed firmly to the structure, after which the tarpaulin is laid out and then the device is closed (3). The tarpaulin will now sit firmly and protect against wind and weather.

The mounting of the system can be done by screwing it firmly, clamping it firmly with a claw device (4), screwing it firmly with a screw clamp, or fastening in a similar manner.

The clamping together of the system can be done with a mechanical device or an electrical device of the like.

If one has an excessively large tarpaulin, the tarpaulin can be folded in two and in this way, it will not lie and flutter. Electrical on/off buttons can make the mounting of tarpaulins easier, since one will only turn on the electricity when the tarpaulin is in place and then tighten the tongs.

When the system needs to be removed, one can use the "slip" device (5) (mechanical separation) which forces the system apart.

One can lay the tarpaulin doubled up, if the tarpaulin is too long. In this way, one does not destroy the tarpaulin by screwing screws through it.

The element (7) can be made of various materials, depending on the type of tarpaulin being secured. For example, it may be EPDM, wood, or the like.

The device (3 and 4) is fastened/clamped/loosened

Force transmitting arm (6)

Description of the invention;

(001) This invention relates to the easy mounting of tarpaulins, banners and the like and the covering of pallets and the closing up of door and window openings in buildings and the covering of swimming pools etc.

(002) An important detail is that the tarpaulin, the banner or the like is not destroyed when fastened with the use of clamping tongs.

(003) Normally tarpaulins are fastened by mounting boards on them and securing the tarpaulin to them by screwing or stitching so that the tarpaulin is perforated (forming holes). The use of the tarpaulin is then limited and eventually the tarpaulin can no longer be used.

(004) The lowermost part (1) is mounted on the structure, rafter, wall, bottom of the pallet, side of the swimming pool, or the like. Either with the aid of screws (4) or other mounting methods, such as screwdriver, gripping claws, etc.

(005) The uppermost part (7) is forced by the transmission system (3, 4 and 6) down onto the tarpaulin (16) and in this way the tarpaulin, the banner or the like is "locked" firmly. After this, the other sides of the tarpaulin, the banner, or the like are secured in the same way.

(006) The tongs can be activated with mechanical force, electrically, or so forth.

(007) If one has a tarpaulin which is too large, the tarpaulin can simply be laid in several layers, so as to ensure that the tarpaulin cannot be ruined by "fluttering" in the wind. An adjustment device (8) is made for this, which ensures that it can also be tightened up sufficiently.

(008) When the tongs are to be removed, one may use the loosening device (5) (mechanical removal), which forces the items (1 and 7) apart, or one will activate the electrical device.

(009) The tongs can be connected to the electricity grid (e.g., 12 V to 400 V) or their own power supply, such as a battery or solar cells.

(010) The system can be connected in series to a rail system.

(011) The tongs can be mounted advantageously with on/off buttons.

(012) There can be a battery back-up so that in event of a power outage the tongs do not lose their grip and thus do not hold as they should.

(013) The tongs can send information via SMS or the like as soon as it is detected that the tarpaulin is coming loose. The information is sent to a communication unit. The connection between the tongs and the telephone may be by bluetooth, for example.

(014) A GPS signal may likewise be connected in order to prevent theft and locate the tongs at any given time.

(015) The tongs may be lengthened by mounting them on a rail, thereby making the panel longer.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS:

1. Securing of tarpaulins by means of clamping device, which is secured on the item being protected.

2. A first clamping device is assembled with a second device, which can be secured on the item being protected.

3. It comprises 2 or more clamping rails with one or more pressing surfaces, wherein at least one of the clamping rails has a fastening device, such as holes for fastening by screws/bolts.

4. Removal of the clamping device may be mechanical, e.g., by pressing on item 5, or by electrical deactivation or the like.

5. The rails are secured possibly with screws through the existing holes in the one rail (1) or via other fastening methods.

6. Electrical parts, such as battery, motor, circuit board, etc., may advantageously be encapsulated and can therefore withstand flooding or heavy downpour, since the purpose is that the tongs protect against rain.

7. The panels can be connected such that one needs only one rail.

8. The mechanical removal uses for example the lever principle.

9. The tongs can be connected to the public grid (12 V to 400 V) or their own power supply, including battery or solar cells.

10. As soon as the tongs detects a loss of connection to the power source, an SMS message is sent about this to the communication unit, so that one may take precautions before the tongs lose their grip.

11. A GPS signal is sent whenever demanded by the owner or user.

12. Monitoring signals provide signals as to the strength of the tongs, whether the force is large enough, the GPS position, the strength of the backup battery, etc.

13. The one rail can advantageously be mechanically secured.

14. The width of the tongs can be lengthened.

15. An alarm on the tongs indicates when something is wrong.

16. The form of the tongs may advantageously have other configurations or shapes than shown in Fig. 1 , such as pyramid, angled piece, straight, oval, trapezium, or the like.

17. The tongs may advantageously be formed such that they can secure tarpaulins, banners or the like by being adapted in flexible manner. The tongs can be made of rubber or have a swivel mounting.

18. The force of the tongs may advantageously be changed by adjustment (8).

19. The tongs are secured, e.g., on a screw clamp or another device (Fig. 4), being a quickly flexible device, which varies in its width according to the items on which it is being secured.

20. The surface of the fastener (7) and the surface of the lowermost part (1) can be made of EPDM, wood, or the like, in order to create a good contact with the item on which the tongs are being secured.

21. The shape of the contact surfaces (7 and 1) may advantageously be an oval rounding so that there is at least one contact surface.

22. Electrical tensioning (Fig. 6), which ensures consistent and sufficient tensioning